Owner Josh Cronin was unable to adhere to the terms of the payment schedule outlined in the restaurant's lease and, as a result, after brunch service on Sunday, July 15th, landlord Bodie Bemrose changed the locks and the restaurant ceased operations.

Cronin originally opened the pub, named for James P. Sullivan, his three legged dog, in partnership with John Rodriguez and Natascha Cronin, his now ex-wife.

The roasted bone marrow with charred onions, grilled peaches, torched parmesan and a jalapeño vinaigrette drizzle served at The Three Legged Dog Public House on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015, in Independence, Ore. ASHLEY SMITH / STATESMAN JOURNAL

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Unfortunately, even a favorable review brings limited attention and the Three Legged Dog has struggled in the past few years to balance ambition with costs.

"When we opened, we were farm-to-table and seasonal," Cronin explains, but, citing the bone marrow dish specifically, he says "It's a tough sell. You're in Independence, you'd be better off with wings and burgers."

"People want free-range, organic, local burgers with premium cheese, but they don't want to pay $18 for a cheeseburger."

Two years ago, the business partners went their separate ways and Cronin maintained sole control of the restaurant.

He struggled to pay the monthly rent on time, and acknowledged that, on a few occasions, he fell up to a month behind. Last winter he went so far as to take on a second job to help free up the restaurant's resources to cover its costs.

In spring of this year, on the most recent occasion that Cronin fell behind, Bemrose asked that a clause be added to the lease.

"Our landlord decided it would be best to have a contingency plan that if we fell behind again, the lease would be terminated," says Cronin, "and that's what happened."

After three and a half years, our doors are closed. We had one of the best Independence Days we've ever had. We've been seeing in increase in business. But the phrase "A day late and a dollar short" has never been more appropriate. In spite of having such wonderful customers, we're simply unable to keep up with the rising costs of rent and other operational costs.

Cronin takes responsibility for the closure saying, "I signed the (amended) lease."

"I knew it was a bad idea, but I didn't feel like I had any options."

Cronin speculates that with the construction of a boutique hotel and new housing in the Independence area, the businesses on Main Street are feeling the squeeze.

Rents are on the rise and businesses are opening, he said, "but we don't yet have the crowds to support them and it spreads things more thinly."